Darchula: The renewal process for social security beneficiaries in several wards of Shailyasikhar municipality in Darchula district has come to a halt due to the absence of internet connectivity, as reported by local representatives.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the predicament emerged following a new government mandate requiring biometric verification for beneficiaries, including senior citizens, to renew their social security. Local ward officers have been grappling with service provision amidst unreliable internet connectivity. Sher Singh Khadayat, secretary of ward no 1, highlighted the impossibility of biometric verification without internet access, noting the frustration of senior citizens who visit the ward office only to leave without assistance.
Khadayat expressed concern over the additional responsibilities assigned to ward offices alongside the connectivity issues, lamenting the apparent indifference of the local government. Bhupendra Prasad Joshi, secretary of ward no 7, reiterated these issues, pointing out the lack of essential equipment like laptops and computers, which compounds the challenges faced by beneficiaries who often leave disappointed after long waits.
The poor cellular network further exacerbates the issue, with residents struggling to maintain signal strength even outdoors. The reliance on mobile data for official communications last year led to financial arrears, as reimbursement for data costs was not received.
Manorath Prasad Bhatta, secretary of ward no 2, acknowledged the delays in service delivery, particularly affecting elderly citizens. Rajmati Khadayat, MIS Operator at the municipality, stressed the urgency of providing internet access and laptops to upload biometric details and prevent the deprivation of social security allowances for senior citizens.
Bhojraj Bhatta, Information Officer at the municipality, has repeatedly raised the internet issue with authorities but has seen little progress. While some infrastructure development issues are being addressed, the lack of internet and necessary equipment remains a significant hurdle. Mayor Bijay Singh Dhami noted the municipality’s unsuccessful request to Nepal Telecom for internet solutions and the prohibitive cost of expanding fiber internet. Efforts are underway to identify alternative, cost-effective internet solutions. Despite this, Mayor Dhami acknowledged his unawareness of the equipment shortage and committed to providing laptops, suggesting that ward offices could address this issue through their operational budgets.